RAQESH VASHISTH
The Maryada man is a cricket buff who finds it tough to choose between Dhoni and Kohli.
How regularly are you following the World Cup?
In today’s times, everything is just a click away. I keep an eye on my phone and keep checking match updates. I keep checking the ICC website for the score. If I am not going for morning shoots, then I watch the first half of the match.
Do you have any superstition while watching India’s matches?
I have a few. Like when India is batting and if someone is hitting sixes and fours, I usually don’t change my position. Sometimes, I prefer wearing a particular T-shirt during a match because I find it lucky.
What do you have to say about India’s dream run so far?
It’s been a marvellous performance so far. Dhoni is a great leader and I have always been a great fan of his captaincy.
What’s been the best moment for you so far?
Of course it has to be India’s match against Pakistan. We have always been the favourites at the World Cup against Pakistan, but there is definitely some tension. This time I was at home and watched the whole match. And what a match it was!
The players you are rooting for?
It is difficult to choose between MSD and Virat Kohli. Dhoni is a calm guy and knows exactly how to use the key players in a match. I like Virat because of his aggressive batting style and confident body language. He can be a very good captain in the long run. Australia’s captain Michael Clarke is also a great leader. I particularly like his batting style.
Your favourite Cup memories?
World Cup 2011! It was a historic win. Since it was in Mumbai, the experience and memories are more real and close. I couldn’t go to watch it live but after winning the game, we all partied and celebrated.
How will you celebrate if we lift the Cup on March 29?
I will throw a party for my friends at my place!
SHANTANU MAHESHWARI
The Kumartuli boy and Dil Dostii Dance heart-throb is a Dhoni fan and believes the boys in blue “won’t give it back”!
How regularly are you following the World Cup?
I am not shooting every day, so I am at home (Malad, Mumbai) and get to watch the matches with my father.
Do you have any superstition while watching India’s matches?
I generally don’t move from my place when I am watching India play!
What do you have to say about India’s dream run so far?
I don’t think we are going to give the World Cup back this year! We are playing really well.
What’s been the best moment for you so far?
I loved the way MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina finished the match against Zimbabwe.
The players you are rooting for?
Dhoni for his cool captaincy. I also like Chris Gayle (West Indies) and AB de Villiers (South Africa). Both of them are furious... you can’t stop them once they start firing.
Your favourite Cup memories?
World Cup 2011 was memorable. We took to the streets (in Mumbai) after we won. The next day, I shot for Dil Dostii Dance for the first time.
How will you celebrate if we lift the Cup on March 29?
I will go out on the streets and scream my heart out!
SSHARAD MALHOTRAA
This Calcutta boy will let his hair down if India wins the Cup. And yes, ‘Maharana Pratap’ doesn’t bathe when India plays Pakistan!
How regularly are you following the World Cup?
My shoot schedules (in Mumbai) are hectic and I have to work long hours, so I watch it on the sets mostly. I have downloaded some cricket apps and watch the matches on my phone when I don’t have access to TV.
Do you have any superstition while watching India’s matches?
I don’t get up till an over finishes. I also don’t take a bath when India plays Pakistan because I stay glued to my TV.
What do you have to say about India’s dream run so far?
India is in full form and I feel they will create history this time.
What’s been the best moment for you so far?
The India-Pakistan match (which India won by 76 runs). When we win against Pakistan, the feeling is always special.
The players you are rooting for?
Virat Kohli. He is a superb performer. He has amazing charisma as a sportsperson. He is an inspiration. And Chris Gayle is a bomb on the field!
Your favourite Cup memories?
Watching the matches on TV with popcorn and nuts with parents and friends.
How will you celebrate if we lift the Cup on March 29?
I will throw a party for my cricket-loving friends and let my hair down!
ASHISH SHARMA
Mr Popular of the small screen is catching the matches even as he shoots for his new show Tujhse Naaraz Nahin Zindagi on &TV.
How regularly are you following the World Cup?
Right now, I am travelling with my wife (Archana).... I manage to catch the matches off and on.
What do you have to say about India’s dream run so far?
I am ecstatic because the way they were performing before the World Cup and the way they are playing now... there’s a lot of difference. We didn’t play well in Australia and England before the World Cup. India is in the quarter-finals and eventually we will win the Cup... fingers crossed!
What’s been the best moment for you so far?
Shikhar Dhawan’s century (137) against South Africa.
The players you are rooting for?
Virat Kohli. I see a lot of myself in him. I also like Glenn Maxwell (Australia). He can play on all kinds of tracks.
THE CRICKET ADS THAT HAVE CAUGHT & BOWLED US THIS WORLD CUP
MAUKA MAUKA
STAR Sports has hit a sixer with the ‘Mauka Mauka’ ads. The popularity of the first ad — where a Pakistani fan in Karachi (in picture) has to wait and wait and wait to light a box of fireworks because Pakistan has never defeated India in the World Cup — became so popular that it spawned a series of ads with the same template. The common theme: India notches one win after another even as rival fans wait in vain to celebrate.
CRICBUZZ
Cricket app Cricbuzz funs it up in a series of ads highlighting the cricket ‘keeda’ in every Indian. A 20-seconder has a man walking into his house, checking his phone for match updates even as his wife asks: “Doodh leke aaye?” Still engrossed, he ‘bowls’ the packet of milk. When it lands on his wife’s head (in picture), the man sheepishly says: “Bouncer tha baby… duck karna chahiye tha!” ROFL.
Another ad has a student walking into a classroom, eyes again glued to the phone in hand. When his professor tells him he’s late, the youngster hands over his cap to the prof, marks his “run-up” and proceeds to “bowl” to another classmate who has taken up wicket-keeper position behind the prof. Cricket ka keeda toh hoga hi na!
PEPSI
Pepsi takes forward its ‘Oh Yes Abhi’ campaign, but tells you now to ‘Live it Abhi’. Sadly, the ad is a perfect example of how to take three big stars — Ranbir Kapoor, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma — and not make the most of a precious 45 seconds. The ad — focusing mostly on Ranbir — shows Virat hit a six into the stands and straight into the hands of Ranbir. Ranbir breaks into song and leads the whole gallery in an impromptu jig, with Virat doing what he does best: lose his cool. Ranbir refuses to give back the ball, but Virat ‘traps’ him. Unable to move, Ranbir turns back to see a smiling Anushka who gestures to him to give her a call. The forced jingle to the cardboard cutout background — nothing really works in this ad, but it does have recall value.
